Councillor Bhatia joins Broughton school pupils to mark the launch of free school meals pilot
Tuesday, October 30 2007
Executive member for Education, Councillor Catriona Bhatia joined pupils and staff at Broughton Primary School for lunch yesterday (Monday 29 October) to mark the start of the free healthy school meals pilot across the Scottish Borders.
Pupils from P1-P3 flocked to the canteens for the first day of the Scottish Government’s pilot which aims to change Scottish culture by promoting nutritious menus and developing children's tastes so that they make healthy choices.
Councillor Bhatia explained her particular interest in the pilot: “I am really keen to hear pupils’ opinions about school meals. This pilot will hopefully give SBC a good opportunity to gather views and build on the great work of our Hungry for Success initiative which has proven to be very successful over the last few years. I do hope the Scottish Government use this pilot as a valuable opportunity to assess pupils’ eating habits and lifestyles accurately, but in the meantime parents in the Borders can be assured that their children will be getting a healthy and nutritious meal at school every day.”
A grant of almost £600,000 has been awarded to Scottish Borders Council to cover the costs of the extra free meals to pupils who either previously paid for meals, had packed lunches or went home for lunch. More than 3000 Borders youngsters are set to benefit from the scheme over the next six months.
SBC is one of five local authority areas taking part in the pilot. Other authorities include East Ayrshire, Fife, Glasgow, and West Dumbartonshire. The pilot will end on the 31 March 2008.
For further information, please contact Education & Lifelong Learning’s Communication and Policy Unit on 01835 826592.
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